LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

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015 988 748 



i 

i Sunlight or Candlelight 



By 
HELEN L. WILLCOX 




::^ 



Missionary Education Movement of the 

United States and Canada 

156 Fifth Avenue New York 



COPYRIGHT, 1912, BY 

MISSIONARY EDUCATION MOVEMENT OF THE 

UNITED STATES AND CANADA 



IMPORTANT 

Price, $.25 each, postpaid. The purchase of the five copies of Sun- 
light or Candlelight necessary for its production conveys the right to 
present it for purposes of rehgious education. In consideration of 
this permission, leaders are asked to pledge themselves to follow as 
far as possible those methods which will conserve its educational and 
spiritual values. Orders for copies, requests for further information, 
and written permits may be secured from the denominational Mission 
Boards or the Missionary Education Movement, 156 Fifth Avenue, 
New York. 

/ 

gCLD 30947 



EDITOR'S NOTE 

The Missionary Education Movement recognizes the value of the dramatic ele- 
ment in religious education, and undertakes to cooperate with those desiring to 
secure full benefits from its use. 

Those interested in this form of religious education should seek to acquaint 
themselves with those principles which scientifically relate the use of the dramatic 
instinct to other educational processes. Unless the work of preparation and pres- 
entation be regulated in this way, the method will not only fail to yield satisfactory 
results, but much harm may be done. 

Only those missionary plays will be published by the ^Missionary Education 
Movement which are especially calculated to serve the purposes of religious education. 

Further information may be secured from the denominational Mission Boards or 
the Missionary Education Movement, 156 Fifth Avenue, New York. 



CHARACTERS 

Mrs. Richard Groton, wife of an American Consul to Japan. 
Miss Evalyn Tower, an American heiress, and niece of Mrs. Groton. 
HosHi, a villager. 
MuRA, wife of Hoshi. 
MiTo, a student. 

PLACE 

A small village in the interior of Japan. The house of Hoshi San. There should 
be no chairs, and only one picture. 

COSTUMES 

MRS. GROTON ' 
An American traveling dress, of any color and style preferred. 

MISS TOWER 
Traveling dress, but lighter than Mrs. Groton's. 

HOSHI 
A Japanese kimono. 

MITO 

A Japanese kimono. 

MURA 
Kimono with long sleeves, and obi ; hair done in pompadour. 

ACCESSORIES 

Small table about six inches high. Tea-tray, of lacquered wood. 

Five teacups. 

Teapot. 

Plate of rice-cakes. 

Traveling bag. 



SUNLIGHT OR CANDLELIGHT 

(Present, Hoshi and J\lura, his wife.) 

HOSHI 

The whole village has gone mad! Have I not been in America? Don't I 
know what they believe there? 

MURA 

But they say America is a large place. These women may have come from a 
different part — that you did not see. 

HOSHI 

America is not a large place ! Do you not know that distance is no more 
measured l)y the length of a man's step ! What happens in San Francisco at the 
rising of the sun it is known in New York at noon ! America is a small place ! 

MURA 
Well then, what is the religion of America? 

HOSHI 

Oh. it is much as it is here. The poorer people go to the temples early in the 
morning with money for the priests and pray to their gods, since they hope for 
a change in their fortunes. The wealthy go to the temple once a week, because 
it is the fashion, but they are not afraid of their gods, and they do not trouble 
about doing anything to please them. 

MURA 
The American women say they have only one God. 

HOSHI 

Whether they have one or many I tell you they do not fear him, and so it 
doesn't matter. 

MURA 

(Slowly.) 

Perhaps not — but they say they loz'e him. 

HOSHI 
(Ironically.) 
Did you ever hear of a god that anybody loved? 

5 



6 SUNLIGHT OR CANDLELIGHT 

MURA 
No never before. 

HOSHI 

Then why will you waste your time Hstening to these mad women? How many- 
times must I tell you that I know? It was not among the poor and ignorant that 
I spent my time while I was in America. I worked in a great house. It is not 
respectful of you to believe the words of strangers, when I tell you they are not 
true. 

MURA 

Forgive me! I do not doubt your wisdom. But, if these women did not learn 
of this in America, they must have learned it somewhere else, and wherever it is 
that people believe in Jesus — and love God as their Father — it must be a beautiful 
land. I should like to live there. 

HOSHI 

(Losijig patience.) 

Oh, those idle, meddlesome women have bewitched you all ! I wish the 
American Consul would keep his family at home — or at least not send them here 
for a vacation ! 

MURA 
If you would only come and hear them once ! 

HOSHI 

I will hear them, once — when Mito San comes! 

MURA 

(Surprised.) 
Who ? 

HOSHI 

(With an air of repressed triumph.) 

You may as well know that I have not been idle. I have taken measures ta 
prevent the town from going quite insane. My friend, Mito San, has been study- 
ing in the American schools. He has just come home, and when I confront these 
chatterers with a scholar, they will doubtless have nothing more to say. 



He is coming here? 



MURA 



HOSHI 



I expect him at any moment. Why don't you invite your American friends 
to meet him? 



SUNLIGHT OR CANDLELIGHT 7 

MURA 
(Eagerly.) 
Would 3'ou let me bring them here? 

HOSHI 

If you can get them to come, I shall be delighted. I advise you not to tell 
them about Mito San, however, or they may be afraid to come. 

MURA 

I will bring them. (She goes to the door, then turns back.) Your friend is 
coming, now! (5"/;^ goes out, and HosJii goes eagerly to the door.) 

HOSHI 

(At the door.) 

Welcome home, Mito San. It was good of you to honor my humble appeal 
for help so soon ! 

MITO 

(Sniiling.) 

1 could not well refuse such a call as that. And, besides,! am glad to refresh 
myself by a sight of your honorable countenance. 

HOSHI 
You have had a long sojourn in America. 

MITO 
But not long enough to forget my friends. I have come home to stay. 

HOSHI 
That is good news ! And you have been studying all this time. 

MITO 
Yes, but now I hope to teach. 

HOSHI 

I thought you would want to, and I have some teaching for you to do, right 
here and now, to begin with. 

MITO 
I am curious! Who are these women you mention in your letter? 



8 SUNLIGHT OR CANDLELIGHT 

HOSHI 

One is the wife of an American Consul, Mrs. Richard Groton — and the other 
is her niece. I think they have come from some backwoods part of America 
where an ancient superstition is still held, and they are teaching it to our women 
here — so successfully that it is impossible to reason with them any longer! 

MITO 

(IVith interest.) 
What is it they are telling them? Perhaps I may know something of it. 

HOSHI 

Oh, yes ! I am sure you will be able to show them up. It is a doctrine I 
never heard of while I was in America, but then — I was not a student. 

MITO 

{Smiling.) 

If students tried to learn something about all the queer doctrines taught in 
America, they would have little time left in which to acquire facts. Is it New 
Thought — or Fletcherism? 

HOSHI 

{Doubtfully.) 

I don't think so. I will tell you as well as I can. I haven't heard them myself, 
but my wife says they teach that there is one great God, who made heaven and 
earth and all the races of men, and that his Son, Jesus Christ, came down on 
the earth once, a great many years ago, and lived and died as a man — and while 
he was alive he taught people that God was their Father — that he loved them and 
cared for them every moment of their lives — and that if they would only trust 
in him — Jesus — and try to follow his teachings, they would be safe and happy, and 
would live forever. 

{Hoshi has become so absorbed in telling the story that 
he has almost forgotten Mifo. The zvords he is 
speaking seem to be impressing him, in spite of him- 
self.) 

MITO 

{Gently but solemnly.) 
My friend ! Did you not know that this is true? 

HOSHI 
{Amazed.) 
True? True! How do you know? 

MITO 

I have been studying about it for the last three years. I have come home to 
tell it to my people, here. 



SUNLIGHT OR CANDLELIGHT 9 

HOSHI 
(Almost iiidignant.) 
But I tell you I never heard of it ! 

MITO 
How long were 3 ou in America ? 

HOSHI 
A year. 

MITO 
A whole year in a Christian country, and never to have heard of Christ ! 

HOSHI 
But, — I can't understand it. Are you sure? 

MITO 
(Slowly.) 
My friend — what were you thinking as you told me of the teaching just now? 

HOSHI 

I was thinking — that it was the best story I had ever heard. Did you say — 
do you really mean it is trtic/ 

MITO 

I do mean it, and I will tell you more. I am so glad you sent for me ! May 
I meet these American women ? 

HOSHI 
They are coming presently. My wife has gone to bring them. 

MITO 
What kind of people were you living with in America? 

HOSHI 

Rich — very rich ! and kind. I had good pay, and presents on their feast- 
days. They could not have known of this. 

MITO 

(Sadly.) 

They may not have cared. 

HOSHI 

But they would have told me, surely, if they knew. I can't understand: I can't 
quite believe it, yet. 



lo SUNLIGHT OR CANDLELIGHT 

MI TO 

{Drawing a small Testament from his dress.) 

This will help you to believe — and to understand. It is the story of the Good 
News — how Jesus told it, and how his followers told it after him. 

HOSHl 
(In an awed tone.) 
Did he live in America — this Christ? 

MITO 

No — in Syria — many, many miles from America. But when he left his friends 
he told them to go " into all the world " and tell the Good News to every nation. 

HOSHI 
And some went to America! Why did no one come here? 

MITO 
They did come long ago, Hoshi San, in the old days, and we turned them out. 

HOSHI 
But now? 

MITO 

Now there are many teachers here, and Christianity is even recognized by the 
state, along with Buddhism and Shintoism, as one of the religions of Japan. 

HOSHI 

Really ! Well, we do not always hear of what goes on at court. But I 
should think every one in America would know. It could not take very long 
to spread the news there — with all their telegraphs and telephones, and express 
trains, and newspapers. 

MITO 

It takes more than words. People have to see the Christ-life — a sort of 
reflection of it, in his followers, before they can understand. 

HOSHI 

(Rising suddenly.) 

I hear the women coming. Will you not come to your room and refresh 
yourself? My eagerness about this matter has made me inhospitable. 



MITO 
(Smiling.) 



I, too, was eager. 



SUNLIGHT OR CANDLELIGHT ii 

HOSHI 

{Picking Hp Mito's bag and leading the zcay to the 
door of the next rou)n, then standing aside for Mito 
to pass in.) 

You must stay with me as long as you can. 

MITO 

I will indeed. I am glad to begin my work here. 

{Both go out. The tzvo American wo))ien and the wife 
come in from the opposite side.) 

MURA 

{Bowi)ig.) 
The honorable ladies are welcome ! Be seated, if you please. 

AIRS. GROTON 
Thank you. We are so glad to come and see your pretty little home. 

MISS TOWER 

Yes, indeed: so charming! 

MURA 

It is not worthy, but it rejoices at your presence. Will you excuse me while 
I make the tea? 

(Mrs. Groton and Miss Tozcer boiv, also Miira, and she 
goes out.) 

EVALYN 

Oh ! Aunt Grace ! We never said it was honorable ! 

MRS. GROTON 
{Smiling.) 
They pardon an occasional variation — from foreigners. 

EVALYN 

It seems natural enough to call every one's house honorable over here. There 
is such a dignity about these empty, spotless rooms. 

MRS. GROTON 

(Looking at her rather curiously and fondly.) 
You are enjoying your visit here, aren't you, dear? 



12 SUNLIGHT OR CANDLELIGHT 

EVALYN 
Why, Auntie, dear, you know I am ! 

MRS. GROTON 

You seem to be. But so many girls of your age would think it very tiresome 
to be tied up to an old woman who can't keep her hands out of mission work, 
anywhere she goes. 

EVALYN 

{Laughing.) 

Uncle Dick's nice little plan for your vacation didn't work very well, did it? 
He thought you couldn't find anything to do up here. 

MRS. GROTON 

I did mean to rest to please him — but (sadly) one can't refuse water to 
thirsty souls. How they drink it ! 

EVALYN 

(Soberly.) 

I wouldn't have missed this experience for anything, Aunt Grace. I'll admit 
I didn't know much about missions. When they asked me to write a paper or 
review a book for our missionary meeting at home, I always got out of it some- 
how, because I had an idea missions must be awfully dry and stupid. 

MRS. GROTON 
And you've changed your mind? 

EVALYN 

Why, it's perfectly fascinating ! The people are so dear and funny and 

they really care. To tell you the honest truth, I used to be rather sorry for the 
heathen, to think that we should force them to go to church and Sunday-school, 
too ! It seemed to me that was one of the penalties one had to pay for the 
privilege of living in a civilized country and it didn't seem quite fair to make the 
heathen pay it, too. 

MRS. GROTON 
(JVitli a laugh follozvcd quickly by a sigh.) 
You dear child, how little you know of what heathenism really means! 

EVALYN 

(Seriously.) 

It is hard to understand. (Witli sudden enthusiasm.) But, oh, Aunt Grace, 
I know what I'll do! I'll have some lantern slides made from my pictures when 
I go back, and then I'll give the missionary society a talk about our trip up here 



SUxXLlGHT OR CANDLELIGHT 13 

MRS. GROTON 

That will be very nice, dear. Think of the money in that big city church! 
Why, if all you girls would economize on gloves and hats a little, the saving in a 
year would be enough to keep a missionary at work in this village ! 

EVALYN 

{Cheerfully.) 

Oh, we wouldn't need to do that. Our fathers could mostly give us some 
more without missing it. We'll get our allowances raised, and then send a mis- 
sionary out here ! Wouldn't that be fine ! 

MRS. GROTON 
(Eagerly.) 
Evalyn ! Do you think they might ? 

EVALYN 
1 don't see why not. 

MRS. GROTON 

Oh, how wonderful ! 1 have dreaded so to go back and leave these poor people 
with no one to lead them. They are so eager for the light. 

EVALYN 

{Fondly.) 

Well, I'll tell the girls, Auntie, dear, and you shall have a missionary for them. 
I am sure we can find some one ! 

MRS. GROTON 
{Doubtfully.) 
It may be harder to find the missionary than to find the money. 

EVALYN 

Oh, the right person will turn up. Just wait and see! 

(Mura comes in with a low table which she places in front 
of the guests. She goes out again and comes in ivith 
a tray on zvhich are a teapot, cups, and a plate of rice- 
cakes. She puts the tray on the table, pours the tea. 
removes the teapot and plates, and then passes the 
cups of tea on it to Mrs. Groton and Miss Toiver; 
afterward she passes the plate of cakes. The conver- 
sation goes on during the progress of the ceremony.) 

MRS. GROTON 

I am glad. Mura San, that we are to meet your husband at last. Did you say 
he had lived in New York? 



14 SUNLIGHT OR CANDLELIGHT 

MURA 
Yes for a year ! 

MRS. GROTON 
{To Evalyii.) 
Think of it, Evalyn ! A whole year in New York, and never heard of Christ I 

EVALYN 

Like enough they were Theosophists he lived with, or Buddhists perhaps. I 
remember seeing a Buddhist mission in San Francisco. 

MRS. GROTON 

(To Mura.) 
And this student who has come — he is a Buddhist, I suppose? 

MURA 
I do not know. I have never seen him. 

EVALYN 

Well, at least, if he has studied in America, he will know that we are not 
telling lies. (Rising and going to the little recess where the one picture in the 
room is hung.) You don't mind, O Mura San, if I look at your honorable pic- 
ture? It is enchanting! 

MURA 
I am happy if our unworthy decoration pleases the honorable lady! 

EVALYN 
Do come and see. Auntie. Isn't it lovely? 

MRS. GROTON 
(Going to Evalyn's side and looking at the picture.) 
Beautiful. 

(The two men come in at the opposite side of the room.) 

MURA 

(Timidly.) 

My husband desires to make his bow to the honorable ladies. 

(Mrs. Groton and Evalyn turn quickly, but Hoshi is bent 
double before they have faced him. He murmurs a 
greeting, and turns to Mito.) 



SUNLIGHT OR CANDLELIGHT 15 

HOSHI 

(Proudly.) 

And to present his friend, Mito San, a student from America. (Mito bows 
also. As the women turn from the wall, Mrs. Groton zvas partially in front of 
Evalyn. She nozv steps back and Hoshi has a good look at Evalyn, for the first 
time. He starts forward suddenly.) 

HOSHI 

You ! 

EVALYN 
Hoshi ! 

HOSHI 
You! You have just heard, too? 

EVALYN 

Just heard? 

HOSHI 
You have just found out about this religion of Christ? 

EVALYN 
No, I 1 have always known. 

HOSHI 

{Slozcly.) 

You have always known ! And I lived in your house for a year, and you 
never told me! Why didn't you tell me? 



You lived in her house ! 



In your house, child! 



Whv didn't you tell me? 



MURA 

MRS. GROTON 

(To Evalyn.) 

HOSHI 



EVALYN 
(Faltering.) 
I 1 don't know! I think I supposed you knew. 

HOSHI 

Supposed I knew! (Bitterly.) If you saw a man starving and knew there 
was plenty just around the bend of the road, would you keep silence because you 
supposed he knew, or would you speak to make sure he knew? 



i6 SUNLIGHT OR CANDLELIGHT 

EVALYN 
(Brokenly.) 
Oh, Aunt Grace ! tell him I didn't understand. 

MRS. GROTON 

My niece has lived always in a Christian country, and has not realized 
until lately anything of what it means to be without Christ. 

MURA 
(To Hoshi.) 
I thought you did not believe. 

HOSHI 
But Mito San says it is true ! And he must know. 

MURA 

(Joyfully.) 
Oh, then we can hear about it together ! 

HOSHI 

Yes, he has given me a little book to read. And he has come back here to 
teach the people about Christ. 

MRS. GROTON 

Indeed ! Oh, I am glad to hear that, Mito San. No one can do so much good 
here as a Japanese missionary. 

MITO 

Your niece, Miss Tower, advised me not to come, the last time I had the 
pleasure of meeting her. 

EVALYN 

(Looking up suddenly.) 
Advised you ? Where? Oh— — h! 

MITO 

You came to a tea that Miss Gould gave for the Oriental students in New 

York do you remember? You thought it was "very interesting." I heard you 

say so to another young lady. 

EVALYN 
Oh yes ! And you told me about your plans, and I 



SUNLIGHT OR CANDLELIGHT 17 

MITO 

You wondered why I should come back here to '" waste a good education on 
people who were quite well satisfied with their own beliefs." 

EVALYN 

Did I say that? I didn't know! 

MITO 

You also said that people in Japan who really wanted to learn about Christianity 
could come to America, as 1 had done. It does not seem to have worked, in all 
cases. 

EVALYN 

Oh! don't! (To tlieiii all.) I must tell you, if I can. Listen. Once I 
went to visit father's mine out in Kansas. I had heard that children were born 
and lived down in those mines without ever seeing the sunlight, but I didn't 
believe it. I don't mean I thought people were lying about it, but — it didn't mean 
anything to me — it didn't get into my heart, until — until I went down there in the 
dark. Of course the village was well lighted, but the dark seemed to be pressing 
in from all sides, and overhead — ugh! just shadows and blackness. No blue sky! 
A^o sunshine! I asked a little girl, six years old, when she was up last, and she 
said. " Up? Up the shaft? Oh, I never was up there. I wish I could go. What is 
it like? What is sunshine?" I believed it then. Do you see? It's the same way 
about this. I never really believed there were people who had never heard of Christ. 
(Turning to Hoshi.) When you lived with us, Hoshi, it never occurred to me that 
you didn't know about him. I supposed you were a Buddhist, or a Confucianist, or 
something else, because you preferred to be. I never realized before that there 
were people who didn't know. 

MRS. GROTON 

Dear child, you do know now, and you will try to help some of the others to 

understand, won't you, dear? some of those who have money to send, and some 

Avho can come themselves? 

EVALYN 

(Humbly.) 
I will try. 

HOSHI 

I have a thought : Why can we not call a meeting at the hotel to-night, and 
have Mito San speak to the people about the new religion? I know the proprietor, — 
I'm sure he will allow it. and we can have the crier announce it at once! You will 
speak, will you not, Mito San? 

MITO 

Yes — it is my work! I will speak. And the American ladies also will speak^ 
I hope? {Turning to Mrs. Groton.) 



i8 SUNLIGHT OR CANDLELIGHT 

HOSHI 
Yes, indeed ! the honorable ladies will not refuse. 

MRS. GROTON 
(Appealing to Miira.) 
Would it not be considered too shocking? 

MURA 
Oh, no! 

MITO 
(Smiling.) 
Anything is permitted to Americans. 

MRS. GROTON 

I see. Well, if it is proper, I am willing to speak. Evalyn, dear, will you 
sing for them? 

MURA 

Oh, please ! 

EVALYN 

(Gently.) 

Yes, I will sing. 

HOSHI 

Good ! Then I will go at once to arrange about the room and the crier. 
(To Miira.) Mito San has not had any tea since he arrived, and I shall be glad 
of some when I come back. Farewell ! 

(He goes out. Mtira is horrified that she lias been so inhos- 
pitable, and takes the tea-tray, to go and make fresh 
tea, zvith tnany murmured apologies.) 

EVALYN 

([mpulsively.) 
Oh! O Mura San, may I come and help? 

MRS. GROTON 

(Shocked.) 

Evalyn ! My dear ! 

MURA 

(Pleased.) 

Oh ! if the honorable lady will deign to come into my poor little kitchen, I 
shall be very happy. 

(Mura and Evalyn go out.) 



SUNLIGHT OR CANDLELIGHT 



19 



MRS. GROTON 

I am sorry that dear Evalyn does not take life a little more seriously. I hope 
this experience will sober her, and make her think. (Pause.) I am always so 
glad to see the Japanese students coming home with an earnest purpose. 

MITO 

(IP'ith repressed feeling.) 
My purpose has changed in the last half hour. 



How is that? 



MRS. GROTON 



MITO 



I came home to help make Japan like America a '" Christian country." I 

am here now to help to make it different from America. 



What do you mean? 



MRS. GROTON 



MITO 



America is not a Christian country. I see it all now. I used to wonder why 
it was that people did not seem to care. I thought I did not understand them. It 
was true — I did not understand. They are Christian only in name — most of them. 

MRS. GROTON 

( Excited ) . 

You have no right to say that ! It is not becoming in a young man to speak 
so of a great countr}- like America. 

MITO 

I know it is not. but, there are times when politeness is not the most im- 
portant thing in the world. (Somewhat bitterly.) That is one lesson I learned 
in America. 

MRS. GROTON 

(Coldly.) 
You have learned it very well. 

MITO 

(Not noticing; absorbed in his own thought.) 
I begin to see the truth. America has taught me one more lesson. 



MRS. GROTON 



Indeed ! What is it? 



20 SUNLIGHT OR CANDLELIGHT 

MI TO 

I think at first — (may God forgive me!) — I accepted Christianity because it 
was the rehgion of America, and I thought America was the greatest thing in 
the world. 

MRS. GROTON 

Oh, yes ! And now? 

MITO 

Now I know that Christianity is the greatest thing in the world, and that 

America is great only so far as she is Christian only for so long as she is 

Christian. Japan must adopt Christianity, not because it is American, but be- 
cause it is true. Oh ! I see so many things now. 

MRS. GROTON 
Your ideas are very interesting, I am sure. 

MITO 

The warships, now — all those millions spent on useless hulks of steel, when 
thousands are dying in poverty of body, mind, and soul, — I used to think it must 
be right because America, and England, and Germany, and the others — the Chris- 
tian nations! — did it. But I knew in my heart it is not Christian. Christ 

must be our standard not the West ! 

MRS. GROTON 
And I suppose you are ready to interpret to Japan what that standard is? 

MITO 

I am ready to help show Japan the Christ, from whom she must evolve her 
own standard. It may be that Christianity is waiting for Japan to be its ne.xt 
standard-bearer. 

MRS. GROTON 
It is very likely. 

(A crier is heard outside, announcing the evening meeting, 
in Japanese.) 

MITO 
The meeting ! Hoshi San got the hotel ! 

MRS. GROTON 

Evidently. Are you going to say to the villagers what you have just been 
saying to me? 

MITO 

(Troubled.) 

I don't know what to say to them. If I tell the truth, with you and Miss 
Tower there, it will be very rude. 



SUNLIGHT OR CANDLELIGHT 21 

MRS. GROTON 

Doubtless. But you say there are sometimes things of more importance 
than poHteness to be considered. 

MITO 

It is true. I do not know 

(Hoslii coDics i)i, exultant.) 

HOSHI 

It is all arranged! {He notices Mrs. Groton's excitement and Mito's troubled 
look.) Are you not pleased? 

MRS. GROTON 
Oh, very much ! 

MITO 
Yes it is right. 

{Hoslii feels that sonietliing is wrong and looks wonder- 
ingly from one to the other. Evalyn and the laife 
come in zvith the tea and rice-cakes.) 

EVALYN 
Aunt Grace, the missionary has been found for our girls to send over here. 

MRS. GROTON 
{Astonished.) 
Why who ? where ? 

EVALYN 

I am going to offer myself when I have learned something useful! 

MRS. GROTON 
{In consternation.) 
You ! Evalyn ! You don't mean it ! 

EVALYN 
I do mean it. Aunt Grace more than I ever meant anything in my whole life. 

MURA 



The honorable lady will come over here to teach us to sing to U9- 

to lii'e with us? 

EVALYN 
Yes, dear. 



22 SUNLIGHT OR CANDLELIGHT 

MURA 
Ah ! happiness ! To have you always here ! 

MRS. GROTON 
But, Evalyn, this is preposterous ! Your mother would never forgive me ! 

EVALYN 

{Laughing , a little tremulously.) 

I am sorry, Auntie, dear, but I can't help it. You have brought me here, 
and I have found my duty here. I didn't know I had any, before ! 

MITO 
You are to be congratulated. Even a mistaken duty is better than none. 

MRS. GROTON 
Mistaken ! I should say it is mistaken ! 

EVALYN 

(To Mito.) 
Why do you say it is mistaken? 

MRS. GROTON 

{Before Mito has time to speak.) 

Of course it is mistaken ! I tell you it is preposterous. There are plenty of 
girls in America who have not your prospects or opportunities, and who would 
probably be glad of the chance to come. It is your place to help send them. 

EVALYN 

{With dignity.) 
My money can do that. To fulfil my duty, I must come myself. 

MRS. GROTON 
What makes you think it is your duty to come? 

EVALYN 

{Sloii'ly.) 

The opportunity was brought to me, and I didn't use it ; now I ought to take 
it where I find it. 

MRS. GROTON 

My dear child ! you are making a mountain out of a mole-hill ! You take 
things too seriously. 



SUNLIGHT OR CANDLELIGHT 2^ 

MITO 
" Too seriously " now ! 

MRS. GROTON 

(Not noticing.) 

That was merely an accident. Of course you did not understand. How 
should you? You are not called to throw away your life just on account of that 
one mistake. 

E\-ALYN 

But it is not thro.ving away my life to carry sunshine into a dark place! If 
it is, I'm glad I have a life to throw away. 

HOSHI 
Oh! if the honorable lady will believe me, it will not be thrown away! 



MURA 



Not thrown away ! No ! 



HOSHI 

(To Evalyn.) 

You say you beliei'cd when you went down into the dark mine but you 

did not know- you conld not know, what it is to live in the dark to have 

every trail you follow in search of light lead only into deeper blackness, until 
you finally say, " There is no light ; it is only an imagination of men's minds." 

MITO 

It is when our students come to that point that they commit suicide by the 

score. Self-destruction at the mandate of the Emperor was a far happier thing 
than this ! 

HOSHI 

But the reason we do not all put ourselves to sleep is that it is so very hard 

for a man to believe that that there is no light. If he cannot find it, he makes- 

a little search-light of his own, and some men turn theirs up toward heaven and 
rejoice in the light they have slied on the gods, and some let the gleam fall on the 
faces of their friends — and others on their gold — and there are those who turn 
it upon themselves. But every man who goes on living has his little ray of light. 

AUTO 

Some Western scholars have discovered that, and now they say that mankind's 
own illumination is the only light. 

EVALYN 

It is like a man carrying a candle out into the simshine and thinking he is 
making all the light. 



24 SUNLIGHT OR CANDLELIGHT 

MITO 
Yes, the light is there, but a man's eyes must be open to see it. 

EVALYN 

{Eagerly.) 

Then why do j'ou say I am mistaken when I want to help open people's eyes? 
That is what you have come here to do. 

MITO 

( Slowly. ) 

I did come here to do that, but I see things differently now. (IVith sudden 
determination.) I am going back to America! 

EVALYN 
You you are not going to be a missionary after all? 

MRS. GROTON 

Why. of course, my dear, he is going to be a missionary to the benighted 
Americans — such as ourselves. 

MITO 

{Cahnly.) 

Hardly that, but I am going to do my best to prevent any of my fellow country- 
men from leaving New York City at least, without some knowledge of the Christ. 
Men who come back here, as Hoshi did, without knowing, will be the hardest 
obstacle in the missionary's path. Hoshi San, you would honestly have thought 
it your duty to do everything in your power to stop the work these ladies were 
trying to do here, would you not? 

HOSHI 

Yes, for I thought it was only another blind trail — doomed to end in disap- 
pointment for all of us. 

MITO 

{To Ez'alyji.) 

Does not your duty lie nearer home than Japan? You say you lost an oppor- 
tunity; why not go back and take the next one like it— find opportunities — >nake 
them ! I know it will be harder in some ways, than to come here — but perhaps 
" into all the world." for you, means even into your own kitchen ! 

MURA 
Oh ! Mito San ! We need her here ! 

MITO 

You do need some one. but as Miss Tower says, she can help to send a 
missionary. 



SUNLIGHT OR CANDLELIGHT 25 

MRS. GROTON 

You are quite right about it, and I hope, my dear Evalyn, that you will look 
at the matter more sensibly, and not break your mother's heart, and create a sensa- 
tion in your circle at home by such an impetuous performance. 

EVALYN 

(Coming out of her mood of exaltation enough to realize 
her Aunt's attitude for the first time.) 

Why, Aunt Grace, I thought don't you regard missionary work as the 

highest to which a person can be called? 

MRS. GROTON 
It depends on the person. You don't seem to realize what you are giving up. 

EVALYN 

(Slowly.) 

Perhaps I do realize more than you think more than you knoii\ (In a lozu 

voice.) It will mean breaking my engagement. 

MRS. GROTON 
Your engagement! How long ? Why didn't you tell me? Who ? 

EVALYN 

I meant to tell you to-day, Auntie, dear. I only sent my answer to Robert 
last night. To tell you the truth. I ran away over here to see you, because I 
wanted to be alone to think it out. 

MRS. GROTON 

Well, apparently it would have lieen better if you had staid at home to think 
it out. Robert Sinclair, I suppose? There's some one else who will blame me 
for this! (Appealing to Miio.) Can't you do something? 

MITO 

I am not trying to turn Miss Tower's thoughts away from missionary work. 
I am only trying to show her where her special field must lie. (To Evalyn.) 
Others will come here. But who is there in New York who will know — with 
the heart knowledge you have gained in the last hour — what the need is there? 
Think what you may do, with God's help, if you will go back and establish a 
home in the city which which shall be a mission in itself ! 

EVALYN 

(Wistfully.) 
Tell me ! 



26 SUNLIGHT OR CANDLELIGHT 

MITO 

If you will have Japanese as servants in your house, they can help you to 
reach others, and if you will go into your servants' parlor and teach your own and 
all the others they can bring you — be a friend to them — there is no telling where 
the work you start may lead. 

EVALYN 

I could interest others, and we might build a clubhouse for them, where w-e 
could have reading-rooms, and Bible classes, and services Sunday afternoons. 

MITO 
Wonders may be done if you will take the lead. 

MRS. GROTON 
" Robert " may have something to say about all this. 

EVALYN 

{Ingenuously. ) 
Oh, he will let me do anything I want to ! 

HOSHI 

(Aside to his wife.) 
American husbands are like that ! 

EVALYN 

(To Mito.) 

But. don't you see. I want to be sure that I am willing to do anything, to give 
up — anything ! 

MITO 

(Gently.) 

Yes, I know, and I think your test is this: are you willing to give up the 
romance, and the picturesqueness of the foreign missionary's sacrifice, and accept 
the humble duty that lies nearest you? I had hoped to work at home. To-day 
has brought me a clear call to go to America. I am going to answer that call. I 
am going back to New York to show my fellow countrymen the light. Will you 
help me? 

EVALYN 
I will ! And Robert will help, too. I know he will. 

MURA 

I knew it was too good to be true that you should stay here. But how- 
can we learn, without any one to teach us? 



SUNLIGHT OR CANDLELIGHT 27 

HOSHI 
And Mito San is going, too ! It is hard. 

EVALYN 

{To Miira.) 

Mura San, you shall come with me! {To Hoslu.) Will you come and help 
in my new home? I have promised to be married next spring. Then you can 
get acquainted with other Japanese, and bring them to the house, and Mito San 
can come there and teach. I'll have a regular classroom fitted up. Oh ! say you will 
come, Hoshi San ! I'll send your steamer tickets over. 

HOSHI 
The honorable lady is too kind. I don't know 

EVALYN 

Ah ! you are thinking that I did not help you much, before. Please believe me, 
it will be different I I can never, never forget. 

RIURA 
{To Hoslu.) 
Oh ! please say yes ! 

HOSHI 

{Sloivly.) 

1 had thought it would be good to be at home. 

MITO 
The home of a man's spirit is where he finds light. 

HOSHI 
It is true! {To his zvife.) Let us go. 

MURA 
{Going to Evalyn and kissing her hand.) 
I will do my best to serve the honorable lady well. 

EVALYN 

{Tenderly.) 
Yes, dear, I know you will, and I will try to make you happy. 

MURA 

I am happy so happy I must make a feast ! And you will all stay and see 

the wistaria in the garden after supper, and then we can all go to the meeting 
together. 



SEP ft «^2 

28 SUNLIGHT OR CANDLELIGHT 

jyrTjQ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

The meeting ! 015 988 748 • 

MRS. GROTON 

Yes, the meeting. May I ask what it is your present honorable intention to 
say at the meeting? 

MITO 

I must tell the truth. 

EVALYN 

And so must I. 

MRS. GROTON 

In that case, it seems to me that you two will have so much explaining to do 
that It will not be necessary for me to occupy any time. 

EVALYN 

Oh, Aunt Grace, you must speak ! They will all w ant to hear you. And be- 
sides, if it hadn't been for your work here, none of these plans would have been 
made. 

MITO 

And since you are the only one of us whose plans have not undergone a 
complete change in the course of the afternoon, I think we need you as a steadying 

influence. 

^IRS. GROTON 
Then I, too, must tell the truth. 

EVALYN 
And what is it, Aunt Grace? 

MRS. GROTON 

(Slozi'ly.) 

That you two young people have taught me a lesson of devotion to a cause 
that I had thought I loved. 

MURA 
Then we are all happy, for we have all learned something. 



THE END 



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LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 

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